A HUGE club effort from members of Westbury Harriers and Yate as they hosted the fifth-round of the John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League at Blaise Castle, Bristol, writes Mike Mewse.

This is one of the top cross country leagues in Britain with particularly high standards at all age groups – from under 11 to masters over 65 years.

With more than 1,200 racers there was a high standard and a great atmosphere. Runners had travelled from all over South Wales, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire for the final fixture of the season.

Despite having many club members involved in setting the course, marshalling and race administration there was a big turnout of Westbury Harriers runners. After good results at the English Nationals in Leeds, the Westbury senior ladies were again in great form.

Floren Scrafton led the ladies home with a dominant performance to win the race convincingly. Team-mates were well positioned behind with Katie Hughes 9th , Lucy Richens 18th, Vicky Tester 19th, Robyn Ellis 23rd, and Sophie Voller 30th. Provisional results after all five rounds of the competition make Westbury medallists in every category – senior ladies 2nd, Vet 35 1st , V45 2nd, V55 3rd, V65 1st.

The Westbury senior men had started the season well winning the Tri Counties Cross Country Championship but had lost runners to injury and slipped out of medal contention in the team events. Competing on their home ground however brought out good performances again from the 19 strong team. Led by Oli Beale, Alex Hamblin and Tom Gange the first team placed 8th out of 81 teams.

The Under 20 Westbury men’s team fought hard to clinch the title in a tight contest as GB triathlon international Ben Rawlins teamed up with Aidan Noble, Jack Derrick and Hugh Tarren for a surprise championship win.

Westbury’s champions included Estelle Lowe (U11 girls), Seamus Robinson (U15 boys) and Rosie Hamilton-Jones (U17 girls) who all won the individual title and also led their team to 1st in the team championship. Abdi Hasan (Under 17 Boys) and Dalis Jones (U15 girls) were also individual winners and led their teams to 2nd in the championship.